446 Pet.Sci.

(2014)11:446-453
DOI 10.1007/s12182-014-0360-3

2SWLPL]DWLRQRIWKHUHÀX[UDWLRRIEHQ]HQHWROXHQH
stage distillation columns by the Cuckoo algorithm
Bahador Abolpour and Ali Mohebbi
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

© China University of Petroleum (Beijing) and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014

Abstract: In this study, an enthalpy-concentration method was applied in order to model a steady state
continuous benzene-toluene mixture distillation column. For a distillation tower such as the benzene-
toluene splitter, there are relatively few degrees of freedom that can be manipulated in order to minimize
the total annualized cost. The reflux ratio can influence the steady-state operating point and therefore
LQÀXHQFHWKHWRWDODQQXDOL]HGFRVW7KHWUDGHRIIVEHWZHHQUHÀX[UDWLRVDQGWRWDODQQXDOL]HGFRVWZHUH
discussed. The Cuckoo optimization algorithm was applied to obtain a correlation for the optimum value
RIWKHUHÀX[UDWLRDVDSRZHUIXQFWLRQRIWKHHFRQRPLFSDUDPHWHUVRIHQHUJ\SULFHDQGFDSLWDOFRVW7KH
UHVXOWVVKRZWKDWDWORZHQHUJ\SULFHRUKLJKFDSLWDOFRVWWKHRSWLPXPUHÀX[IDFWRULVKLJK

Key words: Benzene-toluene mixture, distillation column, Cuckoo optimization algorithm, optimized
UHÀX[UDWLRWRWDODQQXDOL]HGFRVW

1 Introduction
As an important part of most chemical plants, distillation
RISUHVVXUHDQGUHÀX[UDWLRZDVIRXQGWRPLQLPL]HWKHHQHUJ\
remains as the most important separation technique in
consumption in the reboiler and to obtain the required product
chemical process industries (Luyben, 1990) and is a complex
purity.
process for modeling and controlling (Balchen and Mumme,
Fazlali et al (2009) optimized operating conditions
1988; Luyben, 1992; Shinskey, 1984). About 95 percent
of petroleum refinery distillation columns by means of a
of the separation processes in the chemical industries use
simulator with the aim to reduce energy consumption. In the
distillation columns (Enagandula and Riggs, 2006), and close
next step the optimization results from the simulator were
control is necessary to achieve the desired product purity at
applied in the real unit. Chen and Lin (2001) studied the
minimum cost. Achieving control of an integrated distillation
RSWLPL]DWLRQRIGLVWLOODWLRQFROXPQUHÀX[UDWLRVLQSHWUROHXP
column is difficult due to the nonlinearities of the process,
refining. In their work, they explored the optimum reflux
multivariable interaction, non-stationary behavior and severe
UDWLRVRIWZRGLVWLOODWLRQFROXPQVXVHGLQSHWUROHXPUH¿QLQJ
disturbances inside the column (Hurowitz et al, 2003).
one was a propylene splitter, and another was a debutanizer
Moreover, continuous distillation may show more dynamic
XVHGLQDÀXLGFDWDO\WLFFUDFNLQJSODQW
behaviors during the process. The basis of distillation is
Economic calculations are important in industrial designs.
vapor-liquid equilibrium. Distillation is applicable in the
In our previous study, a simple method was developed for
separation of chemical components, where concentrations in
optimizing a methanol-water distillation column (Abolpour et
both phases differ from each other.
al, 2013). In that study, the operating cost of each operating
Diwekar et al (1989) studied the optimization of multi-
FRQGLWLRQVZDVFDOFXODWHGLQDUDQJHRIUHÀX[UDWLRIURPWR
component distillation columns, and presented formulation
LQVWHSVRI7KHQWKHYDOXHRIWKHUHÀX[UDWLRZKLFK
for single-fraction and multi-fraction batch distillation
will result in the minimum operating cost was selected as
FROXPQVXQGHUFRQVWDQWDQGYDULDEOHUHÀX[UDWLRV5HQHWDO
WKHRSWLPXPUHÀX[UDWLRIRUWKDWRSHUDWLQJFRQGLWLRQ,QWKLV
(2010) established a model for a stage distillation column.
study, the Cuckoo optimization algorithm was used to model
,QRUGHUWRRSWLPL]HWKHUHÀX[UDWLRE\VROYLQJWKHQRQOLQHDU
a steady state continuous benzene-toluene mixture distillation
objective function, an improved particle swarm algorithm
FROXPQ$FRUUHODWLRQIRUWKHRSWLPXPYDOXHRIUHÀX[UDWLR
was developed for improving the searching ability of the
was obtained.
basic particle swarm algorithm. Optimization of propylene-
propane distillation was carried out by Mauhar et al (2004)
2 Modeling
using Aspen Plus simulation engine. A suitable combination
2.1 Principles
*Corresponding author. email: bahadorabolpor1364@yahoo.com
Received March 26, 2013 The degradation of heat can drive the chemical separation
Pet.Sci.(2014)11:446-453 447

in the distillation process (Henley and Seader, 1981; King, products.

1971; Robinson and Gilliland, 1950). To perform a separation Fig. 1 shows the purification of the feed flow. The
by distillation a minimum quantity of internally circulating distillate (D) and bottoms (W) are enriched with the more
fluid is needed. The vapor-liquid countercurrent flows can volatile and less volatile components respectively. Fig. 1
EHHVWDEOLVKHGE\DFRQWLQXRXVUHÀX[LQGLVWLOODWLRQ$OLTXLG shows six valves available to control the column, with which
ÀRZLLVPDLQWDLQHGDWLWVERLOLQJSRLQWDQGYDSRUÀRZG) the valves 2 and 3 control the reflux ratio (Abolpour et al,
is circulated between stages to purify a feed flow (F) into 2013).

Top
product G1 1
y1
HG1 QC
L0
x0
HL0 2
Tray 1

3
n

Ln D
xn Gn+ 1 zD
HLn yn+ 1 HD
HGn+ 1
4

F m
Feed
zF Lm G
m+ 1
HF xm ym+ 1
HLm H
Gm+ 1
Reboiler
N 5 QB

6 W
xW
Bottom HW
product

Fig. 1 Schematic of a distillation column (Abolpour et al, 2013)

2.2 Governing equations G1 D  R  1 (4)

7KHOLTXLGDQGYDSRUÀRZVGRQRWFKDQJHLQDVHFWLRQRI
distillation column without heat exchangers or side-stream G1 y1 DzD  L0 x0 (5)
LQSXWVRURXWSXWV$VVXPLQJFRQVWDQWÀRZVDQGFRQVLGHULQJ
mass balance obtains linear relations (i.e. operating lines, QC D ª¬ R  1 H G1  RH L0  H D º¼ (6)
Eqs. (8) and (11)) for the component concentrations in the
flow streams passing between adjacent stages. Equilibrium Mole and enthalpy balances for the section of the column
conditions limit the concentrations of flow streams leaving above the feed point (i.e. enriching section) would be as
DVWDJH7KHUHIRUHWKHFRQFHQWUDWLRQGLIIHUHQFHVLQWKHÀRZ follows:
streams at a point of column are bounded by the operating
lines and the equilibrium curve. In the mentioned isolated Gn 1 Ln  D (7)
column, heat losses are assumed to be negligible. Therefore,
mole and enthalpy (H) balances can be written as the Gn 1 yn 1 Ln xn  DzD (8)
following equations:
Gn 1 H Gn1 Ln H n  DH D  QC (9)
F D W (1)
Also mole and enthalpy balances for the section of the
FzF DzD  WxW (2) column below the feed point (i.e. stripping section) are:
QB DH D  WHW  FH F  QC (3)
Lm Gm 1  W (10)
The product may be liquid, vapor, or a mixture of both,
L0 Lm xm Gm 1 ym 1  WxW (11)
EXWWKHUHÀX[VKRXOGEHOLTXLG7KHUHÀX[UDWLR R ) is
D
WKHPRODUUDWLRRIUHÀX[WRZLWKGUDZQGLVWLOODWH8VLQJPROH Lm H m Gm 1 H Gm1  WH W  QB (12)
and enthalpy balances over the condenser we have:
448
Eqs. (1) to (12) are fundamental equations to define
the problem and their solutions give information about the
distillation column.
2.3 Graphical solution method
The Ponchon-Savarit graphical method was used to
investigate the relationship between tray numbers, liquid/
vapor ratios, and product compositions (Treybal, 1981). The
liquid enthalpy can be obtained by the following equation:
HL ª¬ xM Benzene CP ,Benzene  (1  x ) M Toluene CP ,Toluene º¼ (T  Tref )
(13)
where CP is the heat capacity of pure liquid (Perry and Green,
Pet.Sci.(2014)11:446-453
2.4 Methodology
A computer program was written using MATLAB v.7.6
software. Matrix operation facilities were used to reduce
computation time. The solution procedure is described
as below and more descriptions on the dimensionless
mathematical model are presented in literature (Treybal,
1981).
‡(TXLOLEULXPWLHOLQHIURPy1 (where y1= xD) locates x1.
‡x1 connected to > z D , Q c@ locates y2.
‡(TXLOLEULXPWLHOLQHIURPy2 locates x2.
‡x2 connected to > z D , Q c@ locates y3.
‡$QGVRRQDVyn connected to > z D , Q c@ locates xn.
‡This trend continues up to a point where the tie-line
1999), and Tref LV WKH UHIHUHQFH WHPSHUDWXUH  ƒ& ,W
is assumed that the unmixed liquids are first heated to the
bubble point of the liquid (TD), and then vaporized at this
WHPSHUDWXUHDQG¿QDOO\WKHYDSRUVDUHPL[HG7KHUHIRUHWKH
gas enthalpy can be obtained by the following equation:
HG yM Benzene ª¬CP ,Benzene (TD  Tref )  OBenzene º¼
(14)
passes zF, namely the feed composition.
‡In this way the equilibrium stages are determined (i.e.
each tie line represent an equilibrium stage).
‡Locate xw at intersection of x=xw and the bubble point
curve.
‡The reboiler is taken as an equilibrium stage; hence xw
and yN+1 are in equilibrium with each other. The tie lie from xw
locates yN+1.
 1  y  M Toluene ¬ªCP ,Toluene (TD  Tref )  OToluene ¼º ‡Straight line connecting yN+1 to the lower operating point
> xW , Qcc@ locates xN on the saturated liquid bubble point curve.
where Ȝ is the latent heat of evaporation of the pure substance ‡xN locates yN with the equilibrium tie line equation.
at TD (Perry and Green, 1999). Combining Eq. (1) to Eq. (12) ‡ Straight line connecting y N to the operating point
yields the following equations:
> W , Qcc@ locates xN+1.
x
‡And so on, using tie line and operating point relations for
z D  yn 1 Q c  H Gn1 number of equilibrium stages until xF is reached or crossed by
(15)
yn 1  xn H Gn1  H Ln a tie line.

2.5 Cuckoo optimization algorithm

ym 1  xW H Gm1  Qcc
(16) )LJVKRZVDÀRZFKDUWRIWKHSURSRVHGDOJRULWKP7KLV
ym 1  xm H Gm1  H Lm algorithm starts with an initial population (i.e. mature cuckoos
and eggs). These initial cuckoos lay some eggs in some host
birds’ nests. Some of these eggs that are similar to the host
x D  xF Qc  H F (17) bird’s eggs grow up and become a mature cuckoo. Other eggs
xF  xW H F  Q cc are killed by host birds. The grown eggs reveal the suitability
of their nests. The more eggs that survive in a nest the more
§ QC · profit is gained in that nest. Therefore, the nest in which
where Qc ¨ H D  D ¸ is the heat removed per mole of more eggs survive will be the term that cuckoo optimization
© ¹
algorithm is going to optimize.
§ Q ·
distillate in the condenser, and Q cc ¨ H W  B ¸ is the net Birds search for the most suitable nest to lay eggs to
© W ¹ maximize their eggs survival rate. The mature cuckoos
ÀRZRIKHDWSHUPROHRIUHVLGXH(TVWRUHSUHVHQW make some societies. The cuckoos immigrate toward the
seven points as listed below: best habitat of all societies. Therefore, during the survival
competition some of the cuckoos or their eggs die and the
> z D , Q c@ , ª¬ yn 1 , H Gn1 º¼ , > xn , H Ln @ , > xW , Qcc@ , ª ym 1 , H G º ,
¬ m1 ¼
surviving cuckoo societies emigrate to a better environment
and start laying eggs. This survival effort hopefully converges
ª xm , H L º , and to a state that there is only one cuckoo society with the same
¬ m ¼
> zF , H F @ SUR¿WYDOXHV5DMDELRXQ
where > z D , Qc@ and > xW , Qcc@ are fixed. These equations
3 Results and discussion
represent a set of straight lines on the H-x i,y i diagram,
which passs > z D , Qc@ , > xW , Qcc@ , and > zF , H F @ known as the 3.1 Evaluation of the model
upper operating point, lower operating point, and feed point The graphical model was evaluated by using the HYSYS
respectively. v.3.2 simulator at the operating conditions in Table 1. The
Pet.Sci.(2014)11:446-453 449

Start

Determine egg
Initialize cuckoos laying radius for
with eggs each cuckoo

Lay eggs in Move all cuckoos

different nests toward best
environment

Some of eggs are

detected and killed Determine cuckoo
societies

No Population is less
than max value?
Kill cuckoos Find nests with
in worst area best survival rate
Yes

Check survival of
eggs in nests Let eggs grow
JHWSUR¿WYDOXHV

Stop condition
VDWLV¿HG" No

Yes

End

Fig. 2 Flowchart of Cuckoo optimization algorithm (Rajabioun, 2011)

results are given in Table 2. It can be seen that there is good Table 2 Comparison of the results of graphical model (programmed by
agreement between the results of the graphical model and the MATLAB) and HYSYS simulation
values calculated with the HYSYS simulator for the assumed
conditions. Given the complexity of distillation and the Items HYSYS simulation Graphical model
LQÀXHQFHRIPDQ\SDUDPHWHUVLQYROYHGWKHSUHGLFWLRQIURP Minimum number of trays 10.666 9.1687
the model has proved to be very accurate.
Actual number of trays 23.097 21

Table 1 Operating conditions of the distillation column Optimal feed stage 11.545 10

Items Value Condenser temperature, ºC 80.71 80.65

Lighter component benzene Reboiler temperature, ºC 110 110.09

Heavier component toluene Condenser duty, kW 1208.1 1071.7

System pressure, kPa 101.325 Reboiler duty, kW 1504.4 1405.6

Temperature of feed, ºC 25 0LQLPXPUHÀX[UDWLR 1.413 1.192

)HHGÀRZUDWHNPROHKU
Mole fraction of lighter component in feed
Mole fraction of lighter component in liquid phase in condenser
Mole fraction of lighter component in liquid phase in reboiler
ȕ UHÀX[UDWLRPLQLPXPUHÀX[UDWLR
100
It should be noted that, the HYSYS simulator uses the
0.5
McCabe-Thiele method (1925) to simulate a distillation
0.99 column. This method is the simplest method for the analysis
of binary distillation and uses the fact that the composition
0.01
at each tray is determined by the mole fraction of each of
1.247 components. This method is based on the assumptions of
constant molar overflow, which requires the molar heats of
450 Pet.Sci.(2014)11:446-453

vaporization of the feed components be equal to each other, 1

x 105
(zD, Q’)
a mole of vapor having to be condensed for every mole of

Molar enthalpy, kJ.kmol-1

vaporized liquid, and heat effects such as heats of solution
0.5
DUHQHJOLJLEOH7KHVHVLPSOL¿HUDVVXPSWLRQVFDQGHFUHDVHWKH HG (zD, HG1)
model accuracy. On the other hand, applying an optimizer HL
(xW, HW)
algorithm to the HYSYS simulator for obtaining an optimum 0 (zF , HF) (zD, HD)
condition for a distillation column is not possible for the users
of this software. Therefore, the Ponchon-Savarit method, -0.5
which is more accurate than the McCabe-Thiele method,
was used to develop a computer program using MATLAB (xW , Q”)
-1
software to simulate this distillation column and then 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
optimize the operating condition of this column. Mole fractions of volatile component
in the liquid (x) and in the vapor (y)
3.2 Predictions from the graphical model Fig. 3 Enthalpy-concentration diagram of solved
The x-y and H-xy diagrams of the graphical model for the graphical model for conditions in Table 2
conditions in Table 1 are shown in Figs. 3 and 4. As shown in

Mole fraction of volatile component

1
Figs. 5 and 6, the mole fraction of benzene in both liquid and
vapor phases decreases down the distillation column, and the 0.8
temperature of solution increases from top to the bottom of

in the vapor (y)

the column. 0.6

2SWLPXPUHÀX[UDWLR 0.4
Equilibrium line
The optimum condition for a distillation column is used y=x line
to achieve separation under the most profitable operating 0.2 Operating line
Equilibrium stage
FRQGLWLRQV6HYHUDOSDUDPHWHUVHJWKHGLDPHWHUUHÀX[UDWLR
0
and operating pressure of the column, and the temperature 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
of the condenser and reboiler, etc.) can be adjusted to Mole fraction of volatile component in the liquid (x)
optimize the total annualized cost (Talifu and Luo, 2005). The Fig. 4 Vapor-liquid equilibrium diagram of solved
RSWLPL]DWLRQRIWKHUHÀX[UDWLRLVRIYLWDOLPSRUWDQFHSUR¿W graphical model for conditions in Table 2
ZLVH,QWKHSUHVHQWUHVHDUFK¿UVWDVXLWDEOHJUDSKLFDOPRGHO
was proposed and then this model was optimized using the 1
Mole fractions of volatile component
in the liquid (x) and in the vapor (y)

x
Cuckoo optimization algorithm. y
0.8
The cost value is a function of the number of trays and
also the total required duty (i.e. the sum of reboiler and
0.6
FRQGHQVHUGXWLHV$WWKHPLQLPXPUHÀX[UDWLRWKHFROXPQ
requires an infinite number of trays, and consequently the 0.4
capital cost becomes infinite, but the energy cost would be
the least. As reflux ratio (R) increases, the number of trays 0.2
rapidly decreases, until it reaches a minimum. The heating
and cooling requirements increase almost proportionally with 0
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
reflux ratio. For a stage distillation column, neglecting the
Number of trays (N)
costs of raw materials and labor, the operational costs can be
Fig. 5 Predicted mole fraction of benzene in vapor and liquid
GH¿QHGDV
phases using the graphical model at the conditions in Table 2
Total annualized cost = Capital cost + Energy cost
115

The total annualized cost curve must therefore pass

WKRXJKDPLQLPXPDWWKHRSWLPXPUHÀX[UDWLR7KHUHIRUHDQ 108

economic parameter (ijLVGH¿QHGDVEHORZ$EROSRXUHWDO

Temperature, oC

2013): 101

1 1
Energy cost ($ ˜ kw ˜ hr ) 94
M
Energy cost ($ ˜ kw 1 ˜ hr 1 )  Capital cost ($ ˜ hr 1 )
(18) 87

Now the reflux ratio can be optimized by minimizing the 80

total annualized cost, which is calculated by the following 5 10 15 20

equation: Number of trays (N)

Fig. 6 Predicted solution temperature using the

) 365 u 24 >QtotM  N act (1  M )@ (19) graphical model at the conditions in Table 2
Pet.Sci.(2014)11:446-453 451

Fig. 7 shows the results of the calculated cost value at )RULQVWDQFHLIIHHGWHPSHUDWXUHLVVHWWREHƒ&WKHHUURU

each iteration of the Cuckoo optimization algorithm for the LV DERXW  DQG LI xw=0.002 and zD=0.97, this value is
listed parameters in Table 2 and ij=0.02 (Abolpour et al, DERXW
2013). In this case, the minimum value of the reflux factor
(ȕ) is 1.247, which is used to compare the current model 3.4 Effects of the operating pressure and feed
with the HYSYS simulator results. Fig. 7 also compares the temperature
current Cuckoo algorithm with two traditional algorithms Fig. 9 shows the effects of operating pressure on
(i.e. golden section search and genetic algorithm). It can be temperature of solution and mole fraction of benzene in
seen that the Cuckoo optimization algorithm is faster than the liquid and vapor phases. It can be seen that with an increase
golden section search and the genetic algorithm for predicting of operating pressure the temperature of solution and also
the target parameter. The excellence of Cuckoo optimization the mole fraction of benzene in both liquid and vapor phases
algorithm is also shown in our previous study (Kaydani and on the trays increase. Higher pressure can cause an increase
Mohebbi, 2013). in the saturation temperature of the liquid. Therefore,
more energy will be required for separation of these two
Economic paramerer (ij)=0.02 components in the distillation column. From the other point
140
of view, a column with a lower pressure facilitates separation
Cuckoo optimization algorithm cost=62.8447, at iteration=30
130
Golden section search algorithm cost=62.8849, at iteration=30
and therefore less trays are required, as seen in Fig. 9 (i.e.
120 Genetic algorithm cost=62.8491, at iteration=30 at 100 kPa operating pressure, the number of equilibrium
110 stages is 21 and at 300 kPa operating pressure, the number
Cost value

100
of equilibrium stages is 23). Therefore, it is clear that, high
operating pressure increases the total annualized cost, which
90
has no optimum value (i.e. lower pressure is better).
80
Fig. 10 shows the effects of feed temperature on the
70 temperature of solution and the mole fraction of benzene in
60 liquid and vapor phases. As one can see from Fig. 10, with
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
an increase of the feed temperature the mole fractions of
Iteration
benzene in both liquid and vapor phases decrease, but the
Fig. 7 The Cuckoo optimization algorithm iterations temperature of the solution in the column does not change
for conditions in Table 2
Mole fractions of volatile component
in the liquid (x) and in the vapor (y)

1 160
Fig. 8 shows the effect of economic parameter (ij) on the T at 300 kPa
RSWLPXPUHÀX[IDFWRUȕopt). As one can see in Fig 8, at low 0.8
T at 100 kPa

Temperature(T), oC
144
energy price or high capital cost (i.e. small value of ij), the
RSWLPXPUHÀX[IDFWRULVKLJKDQGDWORZFDSLWDOFRVWRUKLJK 0.6 128

energy price (i.e. large value of ijWKHRSWLPXPUHÀX[IDFWRU

0.4 x at 100 kPa 112
is low. The fitting formulation for optimum value of reflux y at 100 kPa
factor would be: 0.2
x at 300 kPa
y at 300 kPa 96

0.4422
E opt 0.1068M  0.6446 (20) 80
0 5 10 15 20
Number of trays (N)
This relation can be used for all the operating conditions
of a benzene-toluene distillation column with negligible error. Fig. 9 Effects of operating pressure on temperature of solution and
mole fraction of benzene in liquid and vapor phases

5 115
Mole fractions of volatile component

1
in the liquid (x) and in the vapor (y)

4.5 *UDSKLFDOPRGHO T at 25, 95 and 125 oC feed temperature

2SWLPXPUHÀX[IDFWRUȕopt)

)LWWHGFXUYH
Temperature (T), oC

4 0.8 108

3.5
0.6 101
3
x at 25 oC feed temperature
2.5 0.4 94
y at 25 oC feed temperature
x at 95 oC feed temperature
2 y at 95 oC feed temperature
0.2 x at 125 oC feed temperature 87
1.5
y at 125 oC feed temperature
1
0 80
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1
Number of trays (N)
(FRQRPLFSDUDPHWHUij)
Fig. 10 Effects of feed temperature on temperature of solution and
Fig. 8 Effect of economic parameter (ijRQWKHRSWLPXPUHÀX[IDFWRUȕopt) mole fraction of benzene in liquid and vapor phases
452 Pet.Sci.(2014)11:446-453

significantly. The temperature of the feed supplies some of H Gn 1 Molar enthalpy of *Q1 -ÂPRO-1
the required energy for distillation. It should be noted that,
HW Molar enthalpy of residue product at the bottom of
WKHIHHGFRQGLWLRQVLHVXEFROGOLTXLGDWƒ&WZRSKDVHV FROXPQ-ÂPRO-1
DWƒ&DQGVXSHUKHDWHGYDSRUDWƒ&IRUWKHVROXWLRQRI
benzene-toluene) affect the x-y and H-xy (Fig. 3) diagrams. L /LTXLGÀRZUDWHNPROÂKU-1
This parameter (feed temperature) affects the required number /P 7KHÀRZUDWHRIH[LWHGOLTXLGIURPWKHWUD\QXPEHUm
of trays in the column. An increase of the feed temperature RIVWULSSLQJVHFWLRQRIWKHFROXPQNPROÂKU-1
will decrease the total annualized cost. The optimum value of Ln 7KHÀRZUDWHRIH[LWHGOLTXLGIURPWKHWUD\QXPEHUn
feed temperature is a function of the initial conditions of the RIHQULFKLQJVHFWLRQRIWKHFROXPQNPROÂKU-1
available feed. L0 ([WHUQDOUHÀX[UDWHNPROÂKU-1
M 0ROHFXODUZHLJKWJÂPRO-1
4 Conclusions
Nact Actual number of trays
A graphical model for the operating profit of benzene-
QB Heat added in the reboiler, kW
toluene stage distillation columns was developed to optimize
the operating reflux ratio of the column by the Cuckoo QC Heat removed in the condenser, kW
optimization algorithm. The model was then evaluated with Qtot Total duty, kW
the HYSYS simulator and it was observed that the results
from the model agree well with simulator results. Finally a R 5HÀX[UDWLR
¿WWLQJUHODWLRQZDVLQWURGXFHGWRFDOFXODWHWKHRSWLPXPUHÀX[ T 6ROXWLRQWHPSHUDWXUHƒ&
ratio of the distillation column. The optimum reflux factor
ZDVGH¿QHGDVDIXQFWLRQRIHQHUJ\SULFHDQGFDSLWDOFRVW,W W 5HVLGXHUDWHNPROÂKU-1
was concluded that at low energy price or high capital cost, x Mole fraction of volatile component in the liquid
WKHRSWLPXPUHÀX[IDFWRULVKLJKZKHUHDVDWORZFDSLWDOFRVW
x0 Mole fraction of volatile component in L0
RUKLJKHQHUJ\SULFHWKHRSWLPXPUHÀX[IDFWRULVORZ
For more accuracy, the Ponchon-Savarit graphical method xm Mole fraction of volatile component in the exited
OLTXLGÀRZIURPWKHWUD\QXPEHUPRIVWULSSLQJVHFWLRQ
was used to model this distillation column. This shows that of the column
the Cuckoo optimization algorithm is fast enough to optimize
xn Mole fraction of volatile component in the exited
this column. This column also could be optimized to obtain OLTXLGÀRZIURPWKHWUD\QXPEHUQRIHQULFKLQJVHFWLRQ
optimum values of the all of operating parameters such as of the column
operating pressure and feed temperature, but other parameters xW Mole fraction of volatile component in the residue
except reflux ratio, have no significant effects on the total product at the bottom of column
annualized cost for optimization. y Mole fraction of volatile component in the vapor
List of symbols y1 Mole fraction of volatile component in G1
ym+1 Mole fraction of volatile component in the exited gas
CP +HDWFDSDFLW\DWFRQVWDQWSUHVVXUH-ÂJ-1 ÀRZIURPWKHWUD\QXPEHUm+1 of stripping section of
the column
D 'LVWLOODWHUDWHNPROÂKU-1 yn+1 Mole fraction of volatile component in the exited gas
F )HHGUDWHNPROÂKU-1 ÀRZIURPWKHWUD\QXPEHUn+1 of enriching section of
the column
G 9DSRUÀRZUDWHNPROÂKU-1 z Average mole fraction of volatile component in the
7KHÀRZUDWHRIH[LWHGYDSRUIURPWRSRIWKHFROXPQ mixture of liquid and vapor phases
G1
NPROÂKU-1 zD Average mole fraction of volatile component in the
The flow rate of exited vapor from the tray number mixture of liquid and vapor of distillate product at the
* P1 top of column
mRIVWULSSLQJVHFWLRQRIWKHFROXPQNPROÂKU-1
The flow rate of exited vapor from the tray number zF Average mole fraction of volatile component in the
*Q1 IHHGÀRZ
nRIHQULFKLQJVHFWLRQRIWKHFROXPQNPROÂKU-1
H 0RODUHQWKDOS\-ÂPRO-1 ȕ 5HÀX[IDFWRU
HD Molar enthalpy of distillate product at the top of ȕopt 2SWLPXPUHÀX[IDFWRU
FROXPQ-ÂPRO-1 Ȝ /DWHQWKHDWRIYDSRUL]DWLRQ-ÂJ-1
HF 0RODUHQWKDOS\RIIHHGÀRZ-ÂPRO-1
ij Economic parameter
HG1 Molar enthalpy of G1-ÂPRO-1
ĭ 7RWDODQQXDOL]HGFRVWSDUDPHWHUÂ\HDU-1
-1
HL0 Molar enthalpy of L0-ÂPRO
HLm Molar enthalpy of / P -ÂPRO-1 References
Abolpour B, Abolpour R, Shamseddini A, et al. Optimization of the
HLn Molar enthalpy of Ln-ÂPRO-1
UHÀX[UDWLRIRUPHWKDQROZDWHUVWDJHGLVWLOODWLRQFROXPQ5HVHDUFK
H G m1 Molar enthalpy of * P 1 -ÂPRO-1 on Chemical Intermediates. 2013. 39(2): 681-692
Pet.Sci.(2014)11:446-453
Balchen J G and Mumme K L. Process Control: Structures and
Applications. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold. 1988
Chen H J and Lin Y C. Case Studies on optimum reflux ratio of
GLVWLOODWLRQWRZHUVLQSHWUROHXPUH¿QLQJSURFHVVHV7DPNDQJ-RXUQDO
of Science and Engineering. 2001. 4(2): 105-110
(QDJDQGXOD6DQG5LJJV-%'LVWLOODWLRQFRQWUROFRQ¿JXUDWLRQVHOHFWLRQ
based on product variability prediction. Control Engineering
Practice. 2006. 14: 743-755
Fazlali A, Hosseini M, Yasini B et al. Optimization of operating
FRQGLWLRQVRIGLVWLOODWLRQFROXPQVDQHQHUJ\VDYLQJRSWLRQLQUH¿QHU\
industry. Songklanakarin Journal of Science and Technology. 2009.
31(6): 661-664
Henley E J and Seader J D. Equilibrium-Stage Separation Operations in
Chemical Engineering. New York: Wiley. 1981
Hurowitz S, Anderson J, Duvall M, et al. Distillation control
FRQ¿JXUDWLRQVHOHFWLRQ-RXUQDORI3URFHVV&RQWURO
362
Kaydani H and Mohebbi A. A comparison study of using optimization
DOJRULWKPVDQGDUWL¿FLDOQHXUDOQHWZRUNVIRUSUHGLFWLQJSHUPHDELOLW\
Petroleum Science and Engineering. 2013. 112: 17-23
King C J. Separation Processes. New York: McGraw-Hill. 1971
Luyben P. Process Modeling: Simulation and Control for Chemical
Engineers. New York: McGraw-Hill. 1990
Luyben W L. Practical Distillation Control. New York: Van Nostrand
Reinhold. 1992
453
Mauhar S M, Barjaktarovic B G and Sovilj M N. Optimization of
propylene-propane distillation process. Chemical Papers. 2004.
58(6): 386-390
McCabe W L and Thiele E W. Graphical design of fractionating
columns. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry. 1925. 17(6): 605-611
Perry R H and Green D W. Perry’s Chemical Engineers Handbook. New
York: McGraw-Hill. 1999
Rajabioun R. Cuckoo optimization algorithm. Applied Soft Computing.
2011. 11: 5508-5518
5HQ -7DQ6'RQJ/HWDO2SWLPL]DWLRQRIWKHUHÀX[UDWLRIRUDVWDJH
distillation column based on an improved particle swarm algorithm.
Chemical and Process Engineering. 2010. 31: 15-24
Robinson C S and Gilliland E R. Elements of Fractional Distillation.
New York: McGraw-Hill. 1950
Shinskey F G. Distillation Control: For Productivity and Energy
Conservation. New York: McGraw-Hill. 1984
7DOLIX'DQG/XR<42SWLPL]DWLRQRIUHÀX[UDWLRRIGLVWLOOLQJSURFHVV
Journal of Industrial and Engineering. 2005. 22(1): 70-72 (in
Chinese)
Treybal R E. Mass-Transfer Operations. New York: McGraw-Hill. 1981
Urmilla Diwekar M, Madhavan K P and Swaney R E. Optimization
of multicomponent batch distillation columns. Industrial &
Engineering Chemistry Research. 1989. 28(7): 1011-1017
(Edited by Zhu Xiuqin)